One of Metro’s newest trains derails near Farragut North

WASHINGTON – Sixty-three people were safely evacuated from the Red Line Metro train that derailed Monday morning between Metro Center and Farragut North stations, Metro said. No injuries have been reported.

The Metro train that derailed was the new 7000 series, the first derailment on the main line of any of the new carriages, Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said during a morning press conference.

Multiple wagons, possibly up to seven of the train's eight, derailed.

Stessel said the derailments are "rare". The last derailment occurred in East Falls Church, Virginia, in July 2016.

Passengers were evacuated from training in a tunnel approximately 1 1/2 hours after the derailment, Metro said.

"Suddenly we saw smoke, we saw it in the air and we smelled gas," passenger Lily Huezo told WTOP.

The derailment occurred around 6:40 a.m. and it involved a train heading towards Glenmont, but it did not involve a fire.

Stessel said the derailment did not occur at a switching point and did not occur in an area subject to weekend tracking work.

While fewer people are traveling on the railroads due to the Martin Luther King holiday, Jr., the derailment interrupted the already reduced Metro service.

Metro reported crowded platforms on Monday.

Metro suspended the rail service along the metro line between Dupont Circle and Gallery Place.

The Red Line service operates in two sections from Shady Grove to Dupont and from Glenmont to Judiciary Square.

Trains operate every 30 minutes, with unique tracking between Friendship Heights and Grosvenor. [19659005] Metro said bus buses are connecting the following stations: Dupont Circle; North Farragut; Metro Center (upper level); Place of the gallery (upper level); and Judiciary Square.

Metro said that passengers may consider using Metrobus routes, including 42, 70, 79, D6, L2, around the incident.

A traffic lane flows in each direction on Connecticut Avenue, near the Farragut North station.

The following streets are closed due to fire department activity:

G St between 11th Street and 13th Street.

12th St between F Street and H Street.

WTO Smith contributed with Max Smith to this story.

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